Eye - Swelling

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Rubbing the Eye. Rubbing from any cause will make the eyelids puffy. Often, it starts from getting an irritant in the eye. Young children often touch their eyes with dirty hands. They also may get food in the eye.

Insect Bite near the eye. A reaction to the insect's spit causes swelling. The loose eye tissues swell easily. The most common bite is from a mosquito.

Contact Dermatitis near the eye. An example is poison ivy.

Injury near the eye. Can cause a bruise and swelling.

Sty. A minor infection of an eyelash.

Dacryocystitis. An infection of the tear sac in the corner of the eye.

Ethmoid Sinus Infection (serious). This causes swelling and redness of the eyelid. The ethmoid sinus is behind the eye.

Periorbital Cellulitis (serious). A bacterial infection of the eyelid. Caused by spread from nearby infected wound or insect bite. The eyelid is very red and usually painful to touch.

Causes of Eye Swelling on Both Sides

Allergic Conjunctivitis. Itchy pink eyes from pollen or pet dander.

Viral Conjunctivitis. The main symptom is red eyes with a cold.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis. The main symptom is yellow pus in the eye or eyes. Eyelids may be matted shut.

Edema (serious). Edema is retained fluid within body tissues. Edema fluid first appears as swelling of the feet due to gravity. Edema fluid also occurs around both eyes after lying down. It's caused by kidney, heart or liver failure.

Swelling of 1 eye is often due to an insect bite. Mosquito bites are a common cause. It can also be from an irritant (e.g. food) transferred to the eye by the hands.

Suspect mosquito bites if there are bites on other parts of the body. Insect bites of the upper face can cause the eyelid to swell. This can last for a few days. With insect bites, the swelling can be pink as well as large. Large swelling is common for ages 1-5 years.

Swelling of both eyes is usually due to pollen that's airborne. This includes tree, grass or weed pollen. These pollens float in the air and can travel hundreds of miles. Itching also makes the swelling worse.

Swelling of the face is usually due to allergic reactions to swallowed substances. Examples are foods or medicines. May be part of a severe allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions to antibiotic eyedrops can cause severe swelling of both eyes.

Swollen eyelids from insect bites, pollens or other allergies are itchy.

Swollen eyelids from eyelid infections are painful and tender to the touch.

Care Advice

Bites to the face can cause severe swelling around the eye. Reason: The tissues around the eye are loose.

Size is larger in young children.

The swelling is harmless.

Here is some care advice that should help.

Cold Pack for Swelling:

Apply ice wrapped in a wet washcloth to the eye for 20 minutes.

Allergy Medicine for Swelling and Itching:

Give an allergy medicine by mouth. This will help to lessen the swelling and itching.

Benadryl every 6 hours is best. Teen dose is 50 mg.

Give it 2 or 3 times.

If you only have another allergy med at home (but not Benadryl), use that. Follow the package directions.

Eye Drops:

The eyelid swelling often will improve after a cold pack or Benadryl is given.

Age 6 years and older. For eyelid swelling that interferes with vision after cold pack, use some eye drops. Use a long-acting vasoconstrictor eye drop (such as Visine). No prescription is needed.

Dose: 1 drop every 8 to 12 hours as needed for 1 or 2 days.

Do not use for over 5 days. Reason: Will cause red eyes from rebound effect.

What to Expect:

Itching may last for 2 days.

Pinkness or redness lasts about 3 days.

The eye may be puffy for up to 7 days.

Call Your Doctor If:

Swelling lasts over 7 days

Redness lasts over 3 days

Becomes painful to touch

You think your child needs to be seen

Your child becomes worse

Treatment for Eyelid Swelling Without a Cause

What You Should Know about Eyelid Swelling Without a Cause:

Most eye swelling without a cause is from rubbing the eyes.

The eye tissues are loose and easily swell.

The rubbing is often from getting an irritant in the eye. It's often seen in young children who touch their eyes with dirty hands. While eating, some children even get food in their eyes.

This type of swelling to an irritant can be treated at home.

Here is some care advice that should help.

Cold Pack for Swelling:

Apply ice wrapped in a wet washcloth to the eye for 20 minutes.

Allergy Medicine for Swelling and Itching:

Give an allergy medicine by mouth. This will help to lessen the swelling and itching.

Benadryl every 6 hours is best. Teen dose is 50 mg.

Give it 2 or 3 times.

If you only have another allergy med at home (but not Benadryl), use that. Follow the package directions.

Eye Drops:

The eyelid swelling often will improve after a cold pack or Benadryl is given.

Age 6 years and older. For eyelid swelling that interferes with vision after cold pack, use some eye drops. Use a long-acting vasoconstrictor eye drop (such as Visine). No prescription is needed.

Dose: 1 drop every 8 to 12 hours as needed for 1 or 2 days.

Do not use for over 5 days. Reason: Will cause red eyes from rebound effect.

What to Expect:

The itching should stop after the irritant is washed out of the eye. This may take up to a few hours.

The swelling will clear 24 hours after the child stops rubbing the eye.

Call Your Doctor If:

Swelling lasts over 3 days

Eyelid becomes red and painful to the touch

You think your child needs to be seen

Your child becomes worse

Disclaimer

The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Nothing contained in these topics is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.

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Supplement - The information and materials presented here in Pediatric HouseCalls Symptom Checker are meant to supplement the information that you obtain from your physician. If there is a disagreement between the information presented herein and what your physician has told you -- it is more likely that your physician is correct. He or she has the benefit of knowing your child's medical problems.

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